3 min read<\/p>\n
Binoculars: A Great First Telescope<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/binofov-896.jpg?w=896\")
<\/a><\/figure>\nA pair of good binoculars can show craters on the Moon around 6 miles (10 km) across and larger. How large is that? It would take you about two hours to hike across a similar-sized crater on Earth. The \u201cCan You See the Flag On the Moon?\u201d handout showcases the levels of detail that different instruments can typically observe on the Moon.<\/div>\nJay Tanner<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nDo you want to peer deeper into the night sky? Are you feeling the urge to buy a telescope? There are so many options for budding astronomers that choosing one can be overwhelming. A first telescope should be easy to use and provide good quality views while being affordable. As it turns out, those requirements make the first telescope of choice for many stargazers something unexpected: a good pair of binoculars!<\/p>\n
Binoculars are an excellent first instrument because they are generally easy to use and more versatile than most telescopes. Binoculars can be used for activities like stargazing and birdwatching and work great in the field at a star party, along the hiking trail, and anywhere else where you can see the sky. Binoculars also travel well, since they easily fit into carry-on luggage \u2013 a difficult feat for most telescopes! A good pair of binoculars, ranging in specifications from 7\u00d735 to 10\u00d750, will give you great views of the Moon, large open star clusters like the Pleiades (M45), and, from dark skies, larger bright galaxies like the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) and large nebulae like the Orion Nebula (M42). While you likely won\u2019t be able to see Saturn\u2019s rings, as you practice your observing skills you may be able to spot Jupiter\u2019s moons, along with some globular clusters and fainter nebulae from dark sites, too.<\/p>\n
\n\n\n![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/dhxwhau-imgur.jpg?w=1000\")
<\/a><\/figure>\nThe two most popular types of binocular designs are shown here: roof-prism binoculars (left) and porro-prism binoculars (right). Roof prisms tend to be more compact, lighter, and a bit more portable, while porro-prisms tend to be heavier but often offer wider views and greater magnification. What should you choose? Many birders and frequent fliers often choose roof-prism models for their portability. Many observers who prefer to observe fainter deep-sky objects or who use a tripod with their observing choose larger porro-prism designs. There is no right answer, so if you can, try out both designs and see which works better for you.<\/div>\nAstronomical Society of the Pacific<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nWhat do the numbers on those binocular specs actually mean? The first number is the magnification<\/strong>, while the second number is the size in millimeters<\/strong> (mm) of the lenses. So, a 7\u00d735 pair of binoculars means that they will magnify 7 times using lenses 35 mm in diameter. It can be tempting to get the biggest binoculars you can find but try not to get anything much more powerful than a 10\u00d750 pair at first. Larger binoculars with more power often have narrower fields of vision and are heavier; while technically more powerful, they are also more difficult to hold steadily in your hands and \u201cjiggle\u201d quite a bit unless you buy much more expensive binoculars with image stabilization or mount them to a tripod.<\/p>\nWould it surprise you that amazing views of some astronomical objects can be found not just from giant telescopes, but also from seemingly humble binoculars? Binoculars are able to show a much larger field of view of the sky compared to most telescopes. For example, most telescopes are unable to keep the entirety of the Pleiades or Andromeda Galaxy entirely inside the view of most eyepieces. Binoculars are also a great investment for more advanced observing, as later on they are useful for tracking down objects to then observe in more detail with a telescope.<\/p>\n
If you are able to do so, real-world advice and experience is still the best for something you will be spending a lot of time with! Going to an in-person star party hosted by a local astronomy club<\/a> is a great way to get familiar with telescopes and binoculars of all kinds \u2013 just ask permission before taking a closer look! You can find clubs and star parties near you on the Night Sky Network\u2019s Clubs & Events page at bit.ly\/nsnclubsandevents<\/a> and inspire your binocular stargazing sessions with NASA\u2019s latest discoveries!<\/p>\nOriginally posted by Dave Prosper: November 2022<\/em><\/p>\nLast Updated by Kat Troche: April 2024<\/em><\/p>\nPowered by WPeMatico<\/a><\/small><\/p>\nGet The Details…<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Do you want to peer deeper into the night sky? Are you feeling the urge to buy a telescope? There are so many options for budding astronomers that choosing one can be overwhelming. A first telescope should be easy to use and provide good quality views while being affordable. As it turns out, those requirements [\u2026] Continue reading
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/binofov-896.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>Do you want to peer deeper into the night sky? Are you feeling the urge to buy a telescope? There are so many options for budding astronomers that choosing one can be overwhelming. A first telescope should be easy to use and provide good quality views while being affordable. As it turns out, those requirements make the first telescope of choice for many stargazers something unexpected: a good pair of binoculars!<\/p>\n
Binoculars are an excellent first instrument because they are generally easy to use and more versatile than most telescopes. Binoculars can be used for activities like stargazing and birdwatching and work great in the field at a star party, along the hiking trail, and anywhere else where you can see the sky. Binoculars also travel well, since they easily fit into carry-on luggage \u2013 a difficult feat for most telescopes! A good pair of binoculars, ranging in specifications from 7\u00d735 to 10\u00d750, will give you great views of the Moon, large open star clusters like the Pleiades (M45), and, from dark skies, larger bright galaxies like the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) and large nebulae like the Orion Nebula (M42). While you likely won\u2019t be able to see Saturn\u2019s rings, as you practice your observing skills you may be able to spot Jupiter\u2019s moons, along with some globular clusters and fainter nebulae from dark sites, too.<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/figure>What do the numbers on those binocular specs actually mean? The first number is the magnification<\/strong>, while the second number is the size in millimeters<\/strong> (mm) of the lenses. So, a 7\u00d735 pair of binoculars means that they will magnify 7 times using lenses 35 mm in diameter. It can be tempting to get the biggest binoculars you can find but try not to get anything much more powerful than a 10\u00d750 pair at first. Larger binoculars with more power often have narrower fields of vision and are heavier; while technically more powerful, they are also more difficult to hold steadily in your hands and \u201cjiggle\u201d quite a bit unless you buy much more expensive binoculars with image stabilization or mount them to a tripod.<\/p>\n Would it surprise you that amazing views of some astronomical objects can be found not just from giant telescopes, but also from seemingly humble binoculars? Binoculars are able to show a much larger field of view of the sky compared to most telescopes. For example, most telescopes are unable to keep the entirety of the Pleiades or Andromeda Galaxy entirely inside the view of most eyepieces. Binoculars are also a great investment for more advanced observing, as later on they are useful for tracking down objects to then observe in more detail with a telescope.<\/p>\n If you are able to do so, real-world advice and experience is still the best for something you will be spending a lot of time with! Going to an in-person star party hosted by a local astronomy club<\/a> is a great way to get familiar with telescopes and binoculars of all kinds \u2013 just ask permission before taking a closer look! You can find clubs and star parties near you on the Night Sky Network\u2019s Clubs & Events page at bit.ly\/nsnclubsandevents<\/a> and inspire your binocular stargazing sessions with NASA\u2019s latest discoveries!<\/p>\n Originally posted by Dave Prosper: November 2022<\/em><\/p>\n Last Updated by Kat Troche: April 2024<\/em><\/p>\n Powered by WPeMatico<\/a><\/small><\/p>\n Get The Details…<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Do you want to peer deeper into the night sky? Are you feeling the urge to buy a telescope? There are so many options for budding astronomers that choosing one can be overwhelming. A first telescope should be easy to use and provide good quality views while being affordable. As it turns out, those requirements [\u2026] Continue reading